The Vietnam War lasted through six presidents, 50,000 dead American Soldiers and 25 years of battle. In 1945 Vietnamese nationalist declared independence from France. In 1954 France surrenders 10,000. Vietnam splits, North and South. American's thought that Vietnam was thought to be the gateway for China and Soviet Union. South Vietnam was thought to be vulnerable to attack from these countries. Ho Chi Minh wants to unify Vietnam. Eisenhower felt that South Vietnam was essential to western Security. John F. Kennedy wants to prevent South Vietnam from becoming communist. In 1962 Guerrilla control spreads across Vietnam. 25,000 American Advisors where sent over to show the South Vietnamese how to use American weapons. These troops where sent to Saigon. They where often drawn into battle by the North Vietnamese (Viet Cong). The troops were no match for the Viet Cong. The rebellion was lead by 8,000 Southern born communists. 1963, American troops totaled 35,000. The South Vietnam President was a nationalist and a devoted Catholic, in a nation of Buddhists. In 1963 seven Buddhist Monks committed suicide by setting themselves on fire. They did this to protest South Vietnam President's repressive rule. These suicide monks got the nickname The Human Torches. Ambassador Henry Capatlarge remembers going into the Oval Office and hearing JFK saying; "Look at that, look at what things have come to". He was staring at a picture of the Human Torches. CIA chief in Saigon supported the South Vietnam president. Some people wanted to change the Saigon government. Intense debate was started in the U.S. government. Secretary of State Dean Russ informed Ambassador Large, in Saigon. Large told CIA agent Lussen Ciaen, "My instructions were that I was to inform General Mien that the US government would not thwart there cool. I convey this. On November 1, 1963 Diem palace guards fought back but was overthrown by the Generals men and Diem and his brother were found murdered in the morning.
